"Uh uh, DENVER!!" my mother called to me.

I ran down the stairs, almost falling.

"What is this? She said, shoving her phone in my face. I grabbed it, and looked a what she was showing me. It was my Facebook page, with a picture of my with baggy pants, and boxers showing. I wore a muscle shirt, and wore my hair curly.

"It's a picture."

She smacked me upside the head.

"Dont get fucking smart with me. Why are you dressed like this? You look like a boy!"

I looked at the picture. "No I don't mom, stop tripping."

She smacked her teeth. "I don't wanna see this shit no more. Go get ready for school."

The ride to school was quiet.  I didn't understand why my parents insited on dressing me like a barbie doll. My mom forced me to wear a ripped up jean skirt, and a tight fitted white shirt. I shook my head as I got out of the car.

"Have a good day sweetie", my mother yelled before driving off. Luckily, she always dropped me off 20 minutes before anyone arrived, so I ran to the bathroom. I pulled out a black Shaka shirt, and some baggy ripped up jeans. I pulled out my thick gold chain and put it over my curly hair. I popped in my gold grill, and slid on my gold rolex. I sprayed polo cologne on my wrist, and neck.

This was my routine everyday, since freshman year. 

Class started, and I walked in, and took my seat in the back. 

Erika, my crush, sat a seat infront of me.

(Erika👇)

She turned around, smiling brightly at me. "Good morning Denver." she said in a light little voice.

I smiled goofy." Good morning, ma."

Class began, and the teacher began to talk. 

I tried to listen, but my eyes kept trailing down Erika's back. I noticed the moles that showed up on her skin lightly. I'd notice her smooth skin, as she rested her elbow against my desk.

Sadly she was straight as can be. In fact, she was dating Rodney, one of the boys from the football team.

(Rodney👇)

The bell rang and I was the first one out, but was stopped by Erika.

"Hey Denver, I was wondering if you could help me study for the test. I know your really smart and you always get A's."

I smiled, happy that I was the first person she thought of to help her, and not her dense ass boyfriend who didnt know his right from his left.

"Yea for sure, where do you wanna meet up?"

"The library? Next period?"

I nodded, agreeing.

I was in fourth period, awaiting lunch. My best friend Amber, sat next to me laughing. 

(Amber👇)

"Whats wrong with you, girl?" she said, referring to my leg bouncing up and down.

"Erika asked me to help her study for the chem test." I said, grinning ear to ear.

She smiled slightly. "Really? I thought she was straight?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess I'll find out at lunch."

"You mean, all this is happening at lunch? We was supposed to sneak up to the roof and throw spitballs at teachers heads." she explained.

"Amber, we can do that anytime. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. She looked at me coldly, then got up from her seat.

I knew she would probably be mad for the rest of the day, but I did't care. I was too high on thoughts at this point.

The moment of truth came. I was so nervous, I decided against grabbing a plate from the cafeteria, in fear that it would end up all over Erika's face. 

I walked into the library, and instantly spotted Erika in the corner, by herself.  I walked over to her and set my backpack down.

"Oh, you can sit next to me", she said, pulling out the chair by her.

I smiled awkwardly, taking the seat that she'd offered.

We opened a book and got right into it.

"So how long have you been liking girls?" she asked, as I walked her home.

"For as long as I can remember really. " I answered, walking beside her.

She looked at me and smiled. "I remember when I discovered I was bisexual. I was so scared that my family wouldnt-" 

"Wait, rewind. Your bi?" I asked.

She nodded. "Isn't it obvious? That's why I really asked you to help me out."

She grabbed my hand. "I wanted to be close to you."

My heart raced a thousand beats per minute. We made it to the corner, separating the direction to her house, and the direction to mine.

She looked into my eyes. She moved in closer to kiss me, but I backed away.

"What about Rodney?"

"I wont tell if you don't", she replied, moving closer to me.

I couldn't help, but press my lips against hers.

"DENVER? WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?" my mom shouted, driving up to me.

I quickly pulled back from the kiss, and stepped away from Erika.

"Ill see you tomorrow", she said, and started towards her house.

My mother looked, angry, disgusted, and disappointed all in one.

"Why you keep goin' around, flaunting yo sickness around. You need to stop this Denver, and what are you wearing?"

I zoned out my mothers rant, and began to daydream about Erika. Her soft pink lips felt like two soft pillows against mine. The way she held my hand, as we walked. I smiled to myself.

"Did you hear me Denver? If you keep this shit up, I'm not letting you see your dad this summer."

I shrugged my shoulders. Ever since the divorce,  I had begged to live with my dad.  He was a better parent then my mother.  He supported my decision,  and we even share a couple laughs.  My dad was the coolest person,  and my mom hated that i felt that way.  So she got full custody of me and gave my dad the weekends.

"Who's buying you these clothes anyway?  It sure isn't me. "

I didn't answer her the whole ride home.  Instead,  I got out the car when we pulled up to the house.

-----
The next day,  I looked for Amber.  I noticed her sitting under a tree in the Quad,  reading a book.

"What you reading bighead? "

She looked up at me, rolled her eyes,  then looked back down.

"Are you seriously still mad at me? "

"Yup. "

I grabbed the book,  and set it on the ground.  She rolled her eyes and looked at me.

"I'm sorry. "

She couldn't help but smile.

"Just don't back out on plans for a female ever again. "

I agreed,  hugging her tightly.

Eagor,  I rushed to chem class.  Erika sat looking beautiful as ever.
I sat behind her.
She turned and looked at me,  with sad eyes.

"You okay? " I asked.

"Me and Rodney broke up. He was cheating on me with Danika."

I Shook my head,  but I couldn't help but smile .

She looked at me confused.
"Why are you smiling? "

"Because now you can be my girlfriend. "

She gave me a blank stare,  then turned around in her seat.

At lunch,  I sat next to her.

"So what do you say?  Can you be mine?"

"Denver", she sighed, " I'm not really bi. I just wanted to know how it felt to kiss a girl." She admitted.

My heart shattered into a million pieces.

"Your lying. "

"I'm not.  I love Rodney... "

I slammed on the table hard.

"Really?  How can you play with me like that?  That's not cool Erika. "

Amber rushed over to me.
"Fuck this bitch,  she's not worth it." She pulled me away before I tried to fight her.

She took me into the bathroom and wiped my face with a wet paper towel.

"How could she do this? " I said through tears.

"Bitches don't give a fuck.  They'll hurt you and not think twice about it. "

She stroked my hair.

"They don't see the good person that you are."

I nodded,  wiping my face.

"Hey", she said, "sneak out and spend the night? "

I nodded and smiled. "It'll be like we was in elementary school,  before I had to sneak out. "

----
After dinner,  I tried to show signs that I was tired.

My mom looked at me.

"Denver you didn't even finish half of your plate."

I nodded,  letting out a long exaggerated yawn.

"I had a long day mom. Love you,  see you in the morning."

She nodded,  then I ran upstairs.  I packed a bag,  then opened up tge window.

I grabbed the ladder and positioned it correctly.

As I made it down,  my phone went off.

Unknown Number:Denver?

Me: who dis?

Unknown: It's Erika.

Me: wht do u want?

Erika: I wanna apologize,  meet me on Pine Street.

I looked up,  towards Amber's house,  and sighed.

Me: I'll b there

20 minutes later,  I'm on the street,  waiting for Erika.

A car pulls up infront of me with a car full of niggas.  One of them was Rodney.

They all got out of the car and surrounded me.

"So yo ass think you can just take my girl? " he asked,  swinging a bat in his hand.

"Rodney, I swear,  we-"

He swung the bat,  knocking me off my feet.

I held my head with my hands and tried to regain my vision.

"Fuck that,  I'mma show yo gay ass what happens when someone crosses me. "

In unison,  they all began to stomp me out.  I felt punches,  kicks,  scratches...
Eventually my body went numb,  and my hearing turned into a loud long beeping sound.

I cried silently.

When they stopped,  I was half awake,  sobbing,  in the fetal position.

They hopped in the car and skirted off.

I layed there,  crying,  as my life flashed before my eyes.

I seen my mom,  holding my hand as I tried to walk when I was a baby.  I seen my dads bright smile,  when he brought me my first bike.  I seen Amber's bright smile,  the first day that I met her.

My eyes slowly started to shut.  Then everything went dark.

Amber texted Denver over a million times.

Amber: Den,  where tf are you?

Amber: did your mom catch you?

Amber: just call me and let me know your OK!

Amber sat at the edge of her bed,  sobbing.  She chose this night to express how she really felt about Denver,  but she had to hold it in one more night.

At school the next day,  Denver was nowhere to be found.

Days later her body was discovered,  and it instantly hit the news.

Erika watched the news in disgust.  She hadn't intended for the encounter to go that far.  In fact,  she really did like Denver,  but Rodney threatened her to text her that night. That night, Rodney told her that if she didn't do it, he would tell the whole school that the basketball team ran a train on her. Out of guilt,  Erika tied a rope to her sealing fan,  and hung herself.

Rodney was never convicted,  nor ruled as a suspect.  The whole thing was pinned on Erika,  seeing as though she was the last person to text Denver.

Denver's mother cried hard at the funeral. She told Amber that she couldn't attend,  simply because it was her fault.

Amber grew up without her best friend,  leaving a flower on her grave every month.